Closing Out October

I will start with my NSV (Non Scale Victory) of the week.  Here are side by sides of two of my school pictures.  The first is from 2008-2009.  This was the year I decided to have weight loss surgery.  The second is from just a few weeks ago.  It takes these types of pictures for me to really notice what has really happened in my world.   This is what losing 116 pounds looks like. I also cannot believe how much younger I appear.  Am I really almost 39? 

Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I actually see a resemblance to my sister now.   Sandy and I have always favored different sides of the family, she my mom's side, I my dad's side.  Now I am seeing a resemblance between the two of us.

In other news, it took 10 weeks, but I finally lost another pound.  I am now down to 241.  I hope it doesn't take another 10 weeks to lose another measly pound.  It is getting frustrating working my tush to the bone and getting nowhere on the scale.  I am still getting up each morning to work out on the elliptical.  And I am still taking runs/walks through the neighborhood.  I continue to go to water aerobics Tuesdays and Thursdays, even though this week I was fighting a sinus infections and thought it better not to go.

A little, sweet story about the elliptical, well not about the elliptical but anyway.  The other evening my husband asks if I would be attending my weight loss surgery support group that evening.  I was super tired but told him that I needed to go.  When I asked why he said it would determine the course of events for his evening.  My brother calls with a family emergency/dilemma (that's a whole different blog!).   I did not notice my husband disappear.  I go off and return from support group later that evening.  I had completely forgot about my husband and his events.

The next morning, I go down to the basement for my daily workout.  Now, I remember leaving the basement light on.  When I opened the door, it was off.  Those who know me, know I am now a little uneasy.  I get to the bottom of the stairs and there is a red light glowing across the room.  Now I am freaked out.  I turn on the light and there sits a new HDTV.  Not a big expensive one.  A just right TV to watch my favorite shows in HD while working out.  I return upstairs to thank him and to tell him he shouldn't have spent the money on me.  He then says he just wanted me to know how proud he was of me.  I went to get in my shower and cried.  He has been very supportive of me throughout this whole process.  He has not tried to sabotage my efforts, nor has he fussed at me when I have fallen off the wagon.  But it was this one gesture of being proud that really proved this journey has been worth every mile.

My walks/runs are not as often as I like, depending on the weather and the health of my two boys.  We have all been fighting sinus infections the last week.  I am finding my stamina is increasing.  I am able to run farther each time.  It is also getting easier to run uphill.  I am not very graceful at it, but it is doable.

A shout out to Melissa, my water aerobics instructor.  She continues to kick butt!  My butt specifically.  But I totally love it!  I attend the Tuesday and Thursday deep water classes down at the West Gwinnett Aquatic Center.  She teaches the 6:10 and 7:10 evening classes.   Totally worth the $5.